Fifth Grade, Pure Mathematics Science Experiments (Page 5)

Measuring Up

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Measurements are very important for scientists. It is especially important that the measurements be accurate. Think about how important accuracy is when you want to know if you are taller than a friend of yours, every inch counts! In this experiment, you will investigate how different objects can be measured with accuracy. Are small or large objects more difficult to measure? Who in your family is the best at measuring? Maybe it will be you! Read more

Mesmerizing Fractals

STEM Activity

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Do you ever wonder what mathematicians study, and why? Most of what they do is complex and inaccessible to laymen, but fractal art might give us a glimpse. While mathematicians study fractals formally, they are used in many branches of science and technology, and we, as laymen, are struck by their beauty. Are you eager to create one? In this activity, you will get to take out some finger paint to make artwork and discover how common fractals are. Read more

M&M Geometry

STEM Activity

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Has an adult ever caught you munching on candy and asked, "How much candy have you eaten?" Instead of saying, "I don't know," and possibly receiving a scolding, wouldn't you rather respond, "I ate precisely 10.7 cubic centimeters of candy"? In this activity, you will investigate which mathematical formula is most accurate for estimating the volume of an M&M. Figure this out and the next time you are discovered while snacking on sweets, you might make a… Read more

Money Problems

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Math can make you money! If you understand some basic math, you can make good decisions about how to keep, spend, and use your hard earned dollars. Try an experiment comparing the same balance in different types of bank accounts. How much better is a savings account than a checking account? What difference does the interest rate make? Which is better, an account that earns compound or simple interest? Can you compare the short and long term costs of borrowing money compared to saving the cash… Read more

Pick a Card, Any Card

STEM Activity

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Have you ever been playing cards and wished you could use psychic powers to draw the card you wanted? You may not be psychic, but you can still have the power of probability on your side. In this activity you'll investigate the probabilities of drawing specific types of cards from a deck. You'll discover how math can help you avoid the dreaded phrase, "Go fish!" Read more

Playing Games

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Almost all of the games we play are based on math in some way or another. Card games, board games, and computer games are designed using statistics, probabilities, and algorithms. Begin by reading about games and game theory. Then you can choose your favorite game and investigate the mathematical principles behind how it works. Can combinatorial game theory help you to win two-player games of perfect knowledge such as go, chess, or checkers? (Weisstein, 2006; Watkins, 2004) In a multi-player… Read more

Relationships Between Variables: Using Correlation and Linear Regression

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Here's a project that combines sports and math. You'll learn how to use correlation analysis to choose the best team batting statistic for predicting run-scoring ability (Albert, 2003). You'll also learn how to use a spreadsheet to measure correlations between two variables. The project description Which Team Batting Statistic Predicts Run Production Best? provides the details. Read more

Scale Models

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

Many industries rely on scale models to develop new products and designs. Architects, industrial designers, artists, clothing designers, and car manufacturers all use scale models. Each model is built to a scale that relates the actual object to the model through a ratio. Can you determine a formula for constructing a scale model? You can use your formula to make a model of your house, school, neighborhood, or town (CUBE, 2002). You can make scale models of the Wright Brothers aircraft… Read more

Shape Changing with the CyberSquad

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

In this project, you will make 2-dimensional templates, called nets, that fold up into 3-dimensional (3-D) shapes. By making shapes of different sizes, you will be able to see how 3-D shapes change with size. Which property (or aspect) will change the most: the length of an edge, the surface area, or the volume? Read more

Solving Logic Problems

Science Fair Project Idea

Scientific Method

You may know Lewis Carroll as the author of Alice in Wonderland, but did you know that in real life he was a mathematician who studied symbolic logic and logical reasoning? How can math help you solve Lewis Carroll's Logic Game? (Bogomolny, 2006) How are algorithms for solving the game Sudoku similar to solving a logic problem? (Hayes, 2006) For the super-advanced mathematical genius, try to evaluate currently available, logic-based computational tools, or design a better one!… Read more

Fifth Grade, Pure Mathematics Science Experiments (55 results)

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